New Mexico Secretary of Education Visits MAS Charter School During 2026 STEM Fair

On May 15, 2026, Mission Achievement and Success Charter School held its 2026 STEM Fair, giving students across both campuses the opportunity to present fourth-quarter science and math projects to classmates, teachers, staff, and visiting guests.

At the Old Coors campus, the Friday event included a special visit from New Mexico Secretary of Education Mariana Padilla, who met with 3rd grade students from the school’s ENMU Cohort as they presented their STEM project called Paper Communities.

The project asked students to think about how communities take shape, how people work together, and how planning decisions affect the places people live. Students designed themed communities using math concepts, explaining their thinking through presentations connected to creativity, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork.

Secretary Padilla Visits MAS Old Coors Campus

For MAS Old Coors campus 3rd Grade Math Teacher Ms. Alicia Esquibel, the visit grew out of a desire to give students a meaningful opportunity to share their work beyond the classroom.

“This opportunity developed after my students learned that another school had completed a similar community-based project and received media recognition for their work,” Ms. Esquibel said. “Inspired by that example, I began reaching out about a month ago to personal and professional connections to explore opportunities that could further celebrate and recognize our students’ efforts.”

One of those connections was Andrea Maloney of Higher Health and Wellness. Maloney also serves on the Nurse Practitioner Council appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

“While the Governor was unable to attend due to scheduling demands, arrangements were made for Secretary Padilla to visit our classroom and honor the students for their hard work and dedication,” Ms. Esquibel said.

Ms. Esquibel said planning began about a month before the visit. She coordinated with Ms. Tina Wang, M.A., MAS Elementary Math Instructional Coach, working to make sure the necessary approvals and arrangements were in place.

A Project Centered on Community Building

Secretary Padilla previously taught elementary school in Albuquerque Public Schools and holds dual master’s degrees in community and regional planning and water resources from the University of New Mexico. She spoke with students about their projects and asked questions about what they had learned.

“Secretary Padilla spoke directly to 3rd grade students about the importance of community building,” Ms. Esquibel said. “She congratulated each student individually for their hard work, dedication, and creativity. She also shared that she learned a great deal from the students and expressed that she was honored to visit the classroom.”

Students also received certificates recognizing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the community project presentations (see photo below).

The New Mexico Public Education Department later noted on its Facebook page that MAS students worked on projects ranging from “designing themed communities using math concepts to studying the human heart and building electrical circuits.”

STEM Fair Extends Across Grade Levels at Both MAS Campuses

Science students in 4th through 11th grade at the Yale campus also participated, along with students in 4th through 8th grade science classes at the Old Coors campus. Third- and 4th grade math classes at both campuses also took part.

Throughout the day, teachers and staff visited participating classrooms, accompanied by other student groups for gallery walks. The format allowed students to present their work, ask questions, and then join the gallery walks to learn from projects created by students in other grade levels.

Secretary Padilla also had the opportunity to briefly visit and interact with other classes on the Old Coors campus during her visit.

Teachers and Staff Reflect on Student Success

In a message to MAS staff following the event, Ms. Wang and her science counterpart, Mrs. Princess Sundo-Yazzie, M.Ed., Science Instructional Coach / MAS Director of Science, thanked the school community for helping make the STEM Fair Culmination Event meaningful for students.

“The students loved the tours, enjoyed the presentations, and our student presenters truly showcased their knowledge, creativity, and hard work through their projects,” Wang and Sundo wrote. “They did an amazing job explaining the science and math concepts they learned with confidence and enthusiasm.”

They also thanked MAS Founder and CEO, JoAnn Mitchell, Ed.S., for her approval and support, Mrs. Rosa Swonger, MA, MAS Principal Manager, and other school leaders for helping classrooms run smoothly, as well as MAS science teachers and 3rd and 4th grade math teachers for preparing students to present their work.

At both campuses, the fair offered students the opportunity to turn classroom learning into public presentations. They explained science and math concepts, answered questions, and practiced speaking about their ideas with confidence.

For the 3rd grade ENMU Cohort at Old Coors, the day brought an added moment of recognition. Their Paper Communities project drew a visit from Secretary Padilla, who listened to their ideas and spoke with them about the importance of community building.